This is the story of the making of the town of Godfrey, Illinois. Connecting to the confluences of three great rivers: the Mississippi, the Illinois, and the Missouri, this area was situated near the starting point of the Lewis and Clark expedition. It was inhabited by diverse and radically different peoples. A cultural confluence, as well as a geographic confluence, this area would be home to a remarkable series of tales, adventures, turmoil and clashes. This book details those historical stories and uncovers the layers connecting them to each other. One of the most compelling parts of this story is the tale of the cooperation among runaway slaves, free blacks, and white abolitionists. There are also tales of commercial empire, abolition, temperance, the education of women and railroad expansion.